Integrated packaged parts construction



Feb. 1, 1966 J. HAENLE, JR 3,232,420

INTEGRATED PACKAGED PARTS CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 50, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J'O/M HA 4 143 JA.

GEE; BY?%%ZZJ Feb. 1, 1966 J. HAENLE, JR 3,232,420

INTEGRATED PACKAGED PARTS CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 30, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H 7] I] H l I H II H/// 6 W l- "I R} w L2 L2 I N VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,232,420 INTEGRATED PACKAGED PARTS CONSTRUCTION John Haenle, Jr., Detroit, Mich, assignor to Jo-Han Models, Inc., Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Aug. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 305,649

3 Claims. (Cl. 206-46) The invention relates to an integrated packaged parts construction and more particularly to an integrated stacked frame-parts package construction particularly adapted for such products as injected molded plastic model kits W1 erein successive layers of integral part frames are designed for unitary packaging providing predetermined spacing between frames, coordinated cavities for nzulti-layer parts, either integral or inserted, and/ or provisions in the part frames for holding auxiliary parts providing a fully integrated packaged parts construction.

Part frames constructed in accordance with the present invention can be packaged in a conventional cardboard box or other suitable container by merely stacking the frames in proper order within the box, inserting any loose parts as required within corresponding special frame openings thereby providing numerous advantages. For example, the appearance of the packaged parts is greatly enhanced as compared to random packaging of loose parts; parts are protected against damage in handling; inspection to determine that all parts are included is greatly facilitated for manufacturer, distributor and customer alike; and the overall sales appeal of the product is greatly enhanced over the comparable product packaged by conventional means. The foregoing and other objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of a typical embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a plurality of part frames with parts generally omitted to clarify the packing relationship of the frames relative to a box enclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the part frames illustrated in FIG. 1, shown complete with all plastic model car parts integrally molded therein; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation through the completely packaged closed box of the kit, showing the packaged relationship of the frames per se with parts generally omitted to more clearly illustrate the stacked relationship of the frames.

Referring to FIG. 1 it will be seen that a conventional cardboard box of appropriate size is employed to hold the four-high stack of part frames 11a, 11b, 12, 13, 14a and 141'). Such part frames are made by injection molded plastic techniques complete with numerous integrally molded parts for a model automobile kit. In order to more clearly illustrate the interrelationship of the part frames, in FIG. 1 the only parts shown are the car body 15, underbody 16 and rubber tires 17. It will be seen that the height of the body integrally molded in the lowermost frame 11a is such as to project through the next two frame layers 12 and 13, provision for which is incorporated by openings 18 and 19 respectively, all inte gral parts of the respective frames being confined to the enclosure within the boundaries of the frame (see FIG. 2 for example, illustrating the frame 13 complete with all integral parts). The underbody 16 incorporates front and rear fenders projecting upwardly through only one adjacent frame 12 with appropriate frame openings Zll and 21 being provided therefor. None of the integral parts of the intermediate frames 12 and 13 project into the lowermost frames 11a, 11b or uppermost frames 14a, 14b, which accordingly extend to the full internal rectangular dimensions of the box 10.

Each of the respective frames may be substantially filled with integral parts in the same manner as frame 13 as illustrated in FIG. 2, care being taken to design parts of each frame with adequate clearance for the stacked relationship with adjacent frames. As illustrated in FIG. 3, suitable spacers 23 integrally molded in the frames assure a proper stacked relationship of the respective frames when packaged within the box 10 with the box cover 24 placed thereover. It will be seen that the frames may be designed to accommodate any loose parts such as the rubber tires 17 in a manner confining the same in the fully packaged unit against dislodgement from their space.

From the above description of a typical embodiment it will be understood that the present invention carries the concept of multi-part kit design beyond the point of providing individual parts which may be assembled into a unitary product, and beyond the provision of multi-part frames having numerous parts integrally molded in a single unitary frame from wlu'ch they can be separated for assembly, and extends the concept of parts kit design to the ultimate completely packaged kit with successive frames adapted to nest on each other incorporating appropriate cavities for multi-layer parts as well as holders within the frame for auxiliary parts. While the illustrated embodiment involves injection molded plastic frames with integral lastic parts, it will be understood that the technique can also be applied to die castings, metal stampings and the like Where multiple parts are formed integrally with and separable from a plurality of inter-related stackable unitary frames. It will also be understood that the present illustrated embodiment is merely typical of a specific application for the invention and that the invention is equally applicable to other types of part kits and that numerous modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple parts kit comprising a plurality of different layers of irregularly shaped multiple parts frames, each of said frames having a plurality of separable parts integrally formed therein said multi-layer frames having special recesses, said frames being stacked in pre-determined inter-related order with separable parts of one frame nesting in said recesses of another frame, a container enclosing said frames in a unitary package, said frame: and container confining each of said parts to a pre-determined space and against any substantial relative displacement.

2. A multiple parts kit as set forth in claim 1 wherein certain of said frames have integral spacers registering against an adjacent frame.

3. A multiple parts kit comprising a rectangular container, a plurality of different layers of multiple parts frames, each of said frames having a plurality of separable parts integrally formed therein, said frames being stacked in pro-determined inter-related order in said c-ontainer fitting closely within the internal sidewalls thereof, said frames including integral spacers maintaining a predetermined spaced relationship therebetween, certain of said frames having a special cavity opening construction, at least one multi-layer part nesting within said special cavity opening and a cover for said container completing the enclosure of said part frames as a completely enclosed parts kit package wherein each part is confined to a predetermined space and against any substantial relative displacement.

(References 011 following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Elliot-t 206-46 Wheless 206-46 Steinharter 20665 Baldridge 20644 4 Jackson 20660 Woofter 20678 Margulis 206-47 Waller 20646 Nack 206-47 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MULTIPLE PARTS KIT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT LAYERS OF IRREGULARLY SHAPED MULTIPLE PARTS FRAMES, EACH OF SAID FRAMES HAVING A PLURALITY OF SEPARABLE PARTS INTEGRALLY FORMED THEREIN SAID MULTI-LAYER FRAMES HAVING SPECIAL RECESSES, SAID FRAMES BEING STACKED IN PRE-DETERMINED INTER-RELATED ORDER WITH SEPARABLE PARTS OF ONE FRAME NESTING IN SAID RECESSES OF ANOTHER FRAME, A CON- 